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Friday, 28 July 2006 |
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Seven days of the camp have passed and alhamdulilah we have seen, done and experienced many things. For me it has been a different camp as this year I am not attached as a mentor to any specific group of campers but as Camp Manager am responsible for all of them, including the mentors!
It has taken me a little bit of time to get used to this new role but slowly the daily objectives and tasks are starting to fall into place. To sum up the role, the camp manager is responsible for making sure the camp timetable is running, i.e. each session is starting on time with all campers there and ready. I am also tasked with passing on information to the campers/mentors through announcements and notices.
The other major duty is to support the mentors. From the first day at Stanmore I have tried to support the mentors in sharing my experiences, being an ear to talk to and generally an extra body to help out where needed. Every morning we have an informal meeting where we as mentors can relax and socialise with each other, discuss the days activities, talk about any issues and problems and generally build confidence and trust between each other in order to give the campers the best development they can get. It is very pleasurable to see that mentors have been trying extremely hard and are giving 110% in developing the campers.
In terms of the campers it is sad not to be specifically involved with a group of campers but a thrilling and tiring(!) experience to be able to listen to the vast numbers of different personalities we have here at the camp. Each day I can see a little growth in all of them whether it be the simple salaam greeting, which they now give to me rather than the other way around, to the confidence while speaking in public.
So, overall it’s been great so far and can’t wait for the exciting developments in the next few days. Alhamdulilah the jamaats, families and friends who receive these campers back after the 3rd will be proud at the achievements they have made and no doubt help them further to grow into excellent human beings serving Allah (S.W.T) and His creation.
Hasnain Panjwani
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